Questions You Should Know about Blood Pressure Monitor Supplier
Buying a Home Blood Pressure Monitor? 6 Things You Need to Know
Maybe your blood pressure has been creeping up over time, or you’re starting treatment for hypertension. Your doctor suggests you buy a home blood pressure monitor to help keep track between office visits. Simple enough, right?
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Maybe not. A quick check online reveals hundreds of different models — and even a bunch of apps for your smartphone. How do you even start to sort through all that without, well, spiking your blood pressure?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Heart and hypertension specialist Luke Laffin, MD, has six tips on what you need — and what you don’t need — in a home blood pressure monitor.
How to monitor blood pressure at home
Before we dive into Dr. Laffin’s tips, let’s review how to take your blood pressure at home. The American Heart Association has a few suggestions to make sure your readings are accurate:
- Avoid activities that raise blood pressure 30 minutes before testing. That means no caffeine, cigarettes or exercise.
- Positioning matters. When you’re testing your blood pressure, you need to pay attention to your posture. Sit upright with your back supported, and make sure your arm is raised to heart level. Your arm should be supported by something like a cushion or armrest.
- Chill out a bit. Try to relax for five minutes before turning the monitor on. Chatting with friends, checking your — anything that could stress you out or get you excited, really — can impact the accuracy of your reading.
- Don’t hold it. Weird fact of the day: Needing to pee raises your blood pressure! That’s another reason (though, we hope you didn’t need one) to make time for a bio-break.
- Have a routine. Blood pressure fluctuates a lot during the day, so you’re most likely to get useful data if you test at roughly the same times every day. Notice the “s” there: Testing once a day won’t give you or your doctor the same kind of insight that you’ll get from checking several times a day at consistent times.
Of course, you can do everything right and still get an inaccurate blood pressure reading if you’re working with a sub-par monitor.
What to consider when choosing a monitor
With so many blood pressure monitors on the market, how do you decide what to pick? And how do you know that your monitor’s working properly? Dr. Laffin says you need to keep six things in mind.
Choose arm cuffs over wrist cuffs
You can purchase a blood pressure monitor at any drugstore or online. No matter where you buy yours, Dr. Laffin recommends getting a monitor with an automatic cuff that wraps around your upper arm. It’s called a brachial blood pressure monitor.
“Don’t get one where you need a stethoscope,” he advises. “An automatic cuff is best.”
What about those monitors with wrist cuffs? Or finger cuffs? The American Heart Association recommends against both for people who are able to use an arm cuff. It’s the best option and tends to provide the most accurate readings.
Size matters
The size of the cuff is the most important feature to check when you’re selecting a blood pressure monitor, Dr. Laffin notes. In fact, a study found that “miscuffing” resulted in “strikingly inaccurate BP measurements.”
The size you need is determined by the circumference of your upper arm. A cuff that doesn’t fit properly may give you inaccurate readings, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Right about now you may be thinking, what about the one-size-fits-all options that many home monitors offer? They aren’t terrible, but they also aren’t as reliable as cuffs that are fitted to the size and shape of your arm. This is one of those situations where it’s worth it to pull out the tape measure. You need to measure the circumference of the middle of your arm — exactly halfway between your shoulder and elbow.
The different cuff sizes are:
- Adult small: Arm circumference of 22 to 26 centimeters (about 8.5 to 10 inches).
- Adult average: Arm circumference of 27 to 34 centimeters (about 10.5 to 13 inches).
- Adult large: Arm circumference of 35 to 44 centimeters (about 13.5 to 17 inches).
- Adult extra-large: Arm circumference of 45-52 centimeters (about 17.7 to 20.5 inches).
Keep it simple
Forget the bells and whistles. They boost the cost of the monitor and are often unnecessary.
Sure, Bluetooth connectivity and storing your readings in the cloud are cool features, but you don’t really need them.
“You shouldn’t have to pay more than $40 to $60 for an appropriate, physician-approved blood pressure monitor that will do the job just fine,” Dr. Laffin says.
Skip the apps
If you look at any app store, you’re likely to find dozens of blood pressure measurement apps for your smartphone.
Dr. Laffin is blunt: “These products don’t work and have not been rigorously tested.”
Certain apps claim to measure your blood pressure through pulse wave velocity, which essentially looks at the wave form in the artery of your finger.
“But those are often inaccurate,” he continues. The last thing you want is to obtain false information and be falsely scared — or falsely reassured — about your blood pressure numbers.
Check for validation and inspect for accuracy
By now, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the things you need to keep in mind when selecting a monitor. After all, there are so many brands out there.
Have no fear: There’s a website out there that can help cull that list for you!
It’s called the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing. This independent review committee tests blood pressure monitoring products for accuracy and gives specific models their stamp of approval. The committee reviews all blood pressure monitors, including the stations you see at grocery stores and pharmacies. So, while not everything you see on the site is going to fit your needs or budget, it’s a quick way to find a product you can trust.
Of course, even the best blood pressure monitors aren’t always going to be perfect. Manufacturing errors, wear and tear, battery depletion — there are plenty of issues that can cause inaccurate readings. That’s why it’s important to test your device against other monitors on a regular basis.
Most monitors you find in a drugstore or online are fine, Dr. Laffin says. But it doesn’t hurt to take it to your doctor’s office and check yours against the office monitor.
“If the systolic blood pressure (the top number) on your cuff is within 10 points of the monitor, then it’s generally accurate,” he says.
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Most home blood pressure machines last for about two or three years. After that, check it at your healthcare provider’s office annually to make sure it’s still accurate.
Three is better than one
There’s one extra feature you might consider seeking out to help boost a monitor’s accuracy: Taking three measurements automatically.
Some monitors do this each time you check your blood pressure. They take a first reading; wait 30 to 60 seconds and take a second reading; then wait 30 to 60 more seconds and take a final measurement.
“This is helpful because it averages your three readings, which probably more closely reflects your actual blood pressure than the first number alone,” Dr. Laffin explains.
A no-pressure purchase
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to regularly monitor your blood pressure, the last thing you need is uncertainty — about the product you’re buying, your testing procedure or the readings you’re getting. You can now consider yourself armed (get it?) with all the basic information you need.
If any other questions come up, don’t be shy about checking in with your healthcare provider. If they’re asking you to check your blood pressure regularly, they’re going to be just as invested as you are in making sure it’s done right!
The Top 11 Questions About Digital BP Monitors, Answered
A digital BP monitor is a device that helps measure blood pressure. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular as they provide more accurate readings than traditional monitors. There are many different digital blood pressure monitors available on the market, and it can be challenging to decide which one is right for you. We will answer the top 11 questions about digital blood pressure monitors on this page!
1. What are the Benefits of Using a Digital BP Monitor?
There are many benefits to using a digital BP monitor. They provide more accurate readings than traditional monitors, and people of all ages can use them. Digital BP monitors are also portable, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
Some digital blood pressure monitors come equipped with additional features, such as the ability to track your blood pressure over time or calculate your heart rate. This can help track your health progress and identify any potential problems.
2. What are the Different Types of Digital BP monitors?
There are three main types of digital BP monitors: wrist, arm, and handheld. Wrist monitors are small and portable, and they can be worn discreetly on your wrist. Arm monitors fit around your bicep and provide a more accurate reading than wrist monitors. Handheld monitors are larger and bulkier, but they give the most accurate readings of all.
Choose the type of blood pressure monitor best suited to your needs and lifestyle. Wrist monitors are great for people who need a portable device, while arm monitors are better for people who want the most accurate reading possible.
3. What are the Features to Look for When Purchasing a Digital BP Monitor?
When purchasing the best digital blood pressure monitor, you should consider the most important features to you. Some monitors come with built-in memory, which allows you to track your blood pressure over time. Others have wireless capabilities so that you can share your readings with your doctor or loved ones.
Consider the size and portability of the monitor, as well as its price. Make sure to choose a digital blood pressure monitor that has all the features you need and is within your budget.
4. What are the Different Sizes of Digital Blood Pressure Monitors?
A digital blood pressure machine is usually designed to make it useable by anybody. Some digital monitors fit on your wrist like a watch, and others have a cuff you wrap around your arm. The larger ones have a separate console and are typically used in a doctor's office.
5. What is the Average Price of a Digital BP Monitor?
The average price for a high-quality digital BP monitor is around $150. If you want the cheapest possible digital blood pressure machine, the features tend to be lacking, and they will often break quickly. Therefore, the idea here is to focus primarily on quality.
6. How Do I Use a Digital BP Monitor?
Using a digital BP monitor is easy! Insert the batteries, put the cuff on your arm, and press the power button. The monitor will automatically start measuring your blood pressure.
Some digital BP monitors come with an instruction booklet, which will provide more detailed instructions on using the device. If you are unsure how to use your digital BP monitor, consult the instruction booklet or contact the manufacturer's customer service department.
7. How Often Should I Use a Digital BP Monitor?
You will only need to use your BP monitor every time you need to take your blood pressure. Unless you have a specific condition that merits daily use, this will probably be once a day or once a week.
Digital BP monitors are an easy and convenient way to measure your blood pressure, and they provide more accurate readings than traditional monitors. If you are looking
8. How Do I Store My Digital BP monitor?
Digital BP monitors are small and portable to be easily stored in a drawer or on a shelf. However, you should avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures or humidity, which could damage the device.
Most digital BP monitors come with a carrying case or pouch, which will protect the device from being damaged. If the best digital blood pressure monitor you purchased does not come with a carrying case, you can buy one separately.
9. What Should I Do If My Digital BP Monitor is Not Working Properly?
If your digital blood pressure monitor is not working correctly, you should contact the manufacturer for assistance. Some monitors come with a warranty, which will cover repairs or replacements in the event of a malfunction.
In any case, the best place to look is your user manual. If this is not helpful, get in touch with the customer service for your device's manufacturer.
10. What Should I Do If I Have Questions About My Digital BP Monitor?
If you have any questions or concerns about your digital blood pressure machine, you should contact your doctor or the manufacturer. Otherwise, the user manual might have the information you need. They will also be able to provide more information and assistance on using and maintaining your device.
11. Are Digital Blood Pressure Monitors Accurate?
Digital blood pressure monitors are usually not any more accurate or inaccurate than traditional blood pressure machines. This isn't to say that they can't be trusted because they can! They do provide accurate readings regardless of your age or size.
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